Kamado Joe Classic III: Best Kamado Testing Results

We run the Kamado Joe Classic III through the same tests we used in the Best Kamado Grill roundup ( • Best Kamado Grill Show... ) as well as 2 more cooking tests. Learn all there is to know about this popular brand of kamado.
► Download the Barbecue Lab Kamado Comparison Chart: thebarbecuelab...
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Featured Products in this Video
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► Kamado Joe Classic III: bbqguys.sjv.io... or amzn.to/3Khnaym
► ChefsTemp ProTemp Plus: shrsl.com/4ijw4 (Get 25% off with code "BBQLAB25")
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► RocketFire Torch: goaff.pro/woihnf or amzn.to/4dqJu66
► RocketFire Torch & Case bundle: goaff.pro/upytvr
► Porter Road chuck roast: shrsl.com/4ijwb
► Porter Road chicken drumsticks: shrsl.com/4inji
► Porter Road NY Strip Steak: shrsl.com/4injk
► FOGO Charcoal (Black Bag): bit.ly/3wqaulA or amzn.to/3wrqrYL
► FOGO Charcoal (Gold Bag): bit.ly/3wqahii or amzn.to/4b50bCB
► High heat rubber gloves: amzn.to/4aiTmMw
► Ash bucket: amzn.to/4dLEhGm
► Bartlow's BBQ KZbin: / @bartlowsbbq
Shop our favorite products:
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00:00
00:24 Kamado Joe Classic 3 Walkthrough
05:11 Kamado Joe Cart
07:55 Side Shelves
08:40 Hinge and Spring System
10:12 NY Strip Steak Test
10:50 Chicken Legs Test
11:06 Low and Slow Chuck Roast Test
11:22 Beef Filet 2 Zone Cooking Test
11:59 Baby Back Ribs Test
12:39 Cleaning the Kamado Joe Classic 3
13:51 Best Kamado Grill Roundup

[@emmgeevideo]

I've had my Big Joe III for two years and have nothing but great things to say about it. Quality construction, ease of use, and versatility are top-notch. He didn't mention great Kamado Joe brand accessories like the rotisserie, the soap stone, etc. There is a great third-party accessory marketplace as well. If you know you're going to cook outdoors over many years, I think it's best to pay now and know that every year your cost-per-year factor will drop to the point that you won't think about the price, you'll only think about how fun it is to use and how great your food tastes.

[@ericvaneupen9986]

My Big Joe III is arriving Thursday. Can’t wait!

[@AshSmith-s9d]

For anyone on the fence. I’ve had my big Joe 3 for 6 months, cook on it 4-5 days a week. Bloody awesome bbq. Soap stone is a must

[@xbaconater5883]

Just bought my first home last week and looking to get one of these Kamado Joe’s as soon as I can! Great way to start a Saturday morning.

[@brucegwynn47]

I love everything you showed me about the grill, very informative and left nothing out, I fell in love with it but I can't pay 2000 dollars for a kamodo joe grill! What is comparable but much cheaper, most of us can't buy one of these

[@user-ho1yn6ms7y]

I picked up a classic 2 (air hinge lid, same gasket, but without slo-roller, and only two tier divide and conquer) from Home Depot three months ago. They decided to phase them out and it was a complete impulse buy at $585! Coming from an inexpensive Akorn, the build quality is out of this world. I will say though, I don’t care for the air hinge. I’ve already tightened it 7 or 8 times, and the lid keeps dropping. I’d actually just prefer lifting the weight and knowing it would stay all the way open. That being said, I immediately got the slo-roller, and I very much enjoy using it!

[@MichaelH0019]

You can adjust the tension on the spring to make the lid sit in any position. Very easy to do

[@user-ho1yn6ms7y]

@@MichaelH0019 in your experience, does it stay tight after you do it? Like I said, I’ve tightened it 7 or 8 times, a it seems like it stays tight for about 48 hours, then loosens and sags again.

[@Taras75357]

I've had my Kamado Joe Classic III with the Slo-Roller for 1 1/2 years, and get a beautiful smoke ring and intense smoke flavor. The Slo-Roller is an accessory for ~$300.00, but if you like to smoke, it's worth it. Searing is a snap using the Cast Iron Grill or Griddle with excellent sear marks and caramelization. I love doing flat iron and inside skirt steaks on it. I did 25# of pastrami from corned beef in a 6 hour low & slow smoke. Kamados are very versatile, but there is a learning curve for each of the cooking styles.

[@keithscott1498]

Slow roller comes as standard on the classic 3. Accessory only on the 1 and 2

[@3up3down.]

Oh wow, you have great cook technique. Your food looks super yummy! :)

[@antoniodelrey164]

Excellent presentation of what appears to be an awesome grill/smoker. I am seriously thinking about making a purchase soon so this has helped me decide on this make and model.

[@nicoleesten5128]

Wow this Kamado has some awesome features different from the others. Especially the ash drawer and the dual sides. Definitely should put this one in the outdoor kitchen! We are breaking in our new Kamado and loving it. Can’t wait to try some new recipes and learning more techniques with the Kamado.

[@Dranomoly]

Big red for the win.

[@ericvaneupen9986]

Thank you David and Melissa for this excellent review. I went for the Big Joe III for the real estate…

[@michaelweitzman789]

I have the Big Joe Kamado. It is absolutely my favorite BBQ. It is so versatile and easy to use.

[@randallsnider5025]

Love my KJ3 FYI Kamdo Joe has adjusted maximum temp on slow roller to 300. Thanks for the video

[@Timo-qb1gf]

Fahrenheit? That's basically too low to cook chicken?

[@owner-builder]

@@Timo-qb1gfso what are you saying re exceeding the max temp Kamado Joe specifies for the slow roller, can we safely ignore it or will that affect warranties?

[@Timo-qb1gf]

@@owner-builder I don't know their reasons for lowering the max temp limit but obviously they have an issue with the materials. Normally a PTFE ie. Teflon coating can handle 500F/260C, so the old limit actually made sense. My guess is people took the 500F as max grill temperature which of course is not correct and 300F at the dome represents 500F down by the slowroller. But that's just a guess.

[@christophercobb4758]

Kamado joe is best. Definitely add it to your outdoor kitchen

[@tonybean5756]

David, how about a heads-up rotisserie between the Primo XL 400 and KJ Classic 3. Have you done a fuel time test comparison on ceramic cookers? Why not put both of these cookers in your outdoor kitchen and get rid of all gas grills. After all gas does not add flavor.

[@k1llerdir]

Did your also have a x accessory ring and deflectors as well? When I bought mine a last year it did come with those and same with my Big Joe. I like to put a drip pan to protect my deflectors and slow roller.

[@capt.haddock5750]

A fine test of Kamado Joe Classic 3. I owned the old Classic and now I own the new Classic 3. The only thing I hate is the new fire box (if that is the correct name). To prevent it from cracking (what the old one did more than once) it consists of 6 smaller pieces that are held together with a metal ring. I really hate the new fire box as the ring will be lifted and the six pieces fall apart when you try to lift the charcoal basket. It is very hard to get those six pieces alined and put the metal ring back on. Especially since I have no strength in my right hand because of a stroke. I missed this in your test. For the rest I like the Kamado Joe Classic 3 very much.

[@TheBarbecueLab]

I needed to remove the fire box ring yesterday to do some cleaning, and you're right, it took me quite awhile to get that thing back on and situated.

[@walterstarr1588]

One of the two must be the Kamado Joe Classic III, the second should be the Primo XL, but those are my preferences.

[@GeoffTheChefOfficial]

Best cooker on the market. Go big or go home. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@waynecole1918]

If I were outfitting the outdoor kitchen with TWO Kamado style grills, it would be the Grilla Grills Kong, and that Kamado Joe.

[@jhippl]

Id keep the primo and kj, primo for larger cuts of meat or larger groups. the kj is a great small family size to cook on weekly.

[@andreastullgren7595]

I actually like the classic 1 cart the most. Sturdiest in my opinion but lack the shelf.

[@gregmehl6764]

I would chose the kamado joe and the primo1

[@mrjeffry25]

I would love you talking about the blaze kamado

[@TheBarbecueLab]

I'll see what we can do!

[@mrjeffry25]

@@TheBarbecueLab thank you

[@125phr]

Looks a great bbq been a BGE large user for number years ,considering going to Komodo as looks really good ,great review. Sub from UK .

[@TheBarbecueLab]

Thanks for watching! I love our subscribers from across the way and I'm glad you're here.

[@paulroueche7003]

I would put the KJ and Primo in my outdoor kitchen.

[@agpmjm]

The `Joe has a pizza oven adaptor and a rotisserie plus basket system available.

[@JK-uo2jv]

Spider grills is releasing a metal Kamado. Wonder if you will try to get one to compare…

[@waynecole1918]

You didn't mention the price or the dimensions of that Kamado Joe.for comparison to the first seven.

[@Jakery1057]

Is it possible to put wood chunks in the ash drawer if desired?

[@TheBarbecueLab]

Absolutely. You could put chunks in the ash drawer as the hot embers would fall down and eventually ignite the wood. I like scattering a few chunks around the fire bowl so as the coals ignite across the bowl I get bursts of smoke during my cook. You could even do both.

[@Jakery1057]

@@TheBarbecueLab Any issues with dirty smoke as the wood chunks wouldn't instantly ignite?

[@michaelmiller1109]

So, I get that Kamado grills are super efficient but I don't know why I would want to buy one. Is it because i want to save on charcoal? I want an outside oven powered by charcoal? They sound like the ultimate cooking device but yet is not the master of anything. Oh, and they are expensive.

[@toroscosmicos9889]

And the gimmicky accessories are ridiculous. SloRo Ler, Joetiserrie

[@nickentros]

The way Smoking Dad BBQ explains it, who’s a big Kamado Joe guy, is exactly that. Kamado are good at everything, but sort of a master of none. You can smoke, you can high heat sear, you can bake, you can set up two zone, you can run a full wood fire

[@GeoffTheChefOfficial]

It’s the best cooker going. Does everything. I wouldn’t be without mine after 7 years.

[@Hunter-ld9tx]

@@nickentros I can do the same on my Weber Kettle. Not as efficient but the same

[@davidfleer5307]

How about a review video on after 5+ years of use !! I would like to understand why spend money on one and see how well it holds up with out having to replace any parts because spices,fat and heat likes to eat away at stuff ?

[@TheBarbecueLab]

I'll have to see how it's doing in 5 years and report back.

[@GeoffTheChefOfficial]

The only thing I’ve replaced in 7 years is the gasket and a cracked deflector. It’s the best cooker on the market. 👍🏼

[@greentube461]

You guys also didn’t’ test the weber summit charcoal…

[@JorgeRodriguez-gp2hf]

The two grills have to be the Kamado Joe and the Blaze Stainless Steel grill. Those are the best of the best.

[@thedon98677]

So for $1,700, what can this do that a $150 Weber kettle with a $40 vortex can’t do??

[@Hunter-ld9tx]

I looked at them and bought a 26” Weber Kettle with and SNS slow and Sear. Hard to beat for the money. 18” grill Is just to small.

[@AshSmith-s9d]

I’ve got a Weber and a big Joe 3, used my Weber once in 6 months since I’ve purchased my kj3. Better heat control, better fuel consumption. Quicker to reach heat. Slow roller, divide and conquer, multi cooking zones. It’s bloody awesome

[@Hunter-ld9tx]

@@AshSmith-s9d I would to if I had it. I just cannot justify spending the money. The classic is too small for me. I would have tge BJ 2.

[@Hunter-ld9tx]

That Weber will work just fine. Just like mine. I have not bought a Vortex yet. I’ve not had any trouble holding the heat setting but the longest so far is 6 hours.

[@ebonyman23]

Im surpised you didnt test a Weber Komado or Classic Weber

[@Hunter-ld9tx]

The Weber Kamado is just to expensive for what you get. No accessories either. KJ is also to expensive but it has many advantages and accessories.

[@craggleroks]

My KJ is the best thing I've ever bought. Absolutely NO WAY you could ever tip one over by accident. It would be a 2 man job to tip it over on purpose.

[@jimcoffman2896]

What do you do with the ash bucket when full? Garbage bag?

[@TheBarbecueLab]

Yep. As long as the ash in the bucket has had ample time to cool, it gets dumped into a trash bag.

[@GeoffTheChefOfficial]

Your garden will love you for it. Tip onto the veggies✌🏼👍🏼

[@ericmoorehead1100]

Built into an outdoor kitchen. No cart or shelves

[@frincon3]

The Kamados you need are the Kamado Joe and the Primo

[@paulsalerno1025]

Primo and joe have to go head to head

[@kevinkelloggs8444]

Kong and the kj

[@newmennium]

Alot of ppl have a KJ, pit that in your kitchen to remain relevant